As I spend so much time in Cyprus and I’m getting married there next year. I thought I’d compile a little Cyprus travel guide full of must sees, must do’s and must eats for a long weekend. Are we ready?
Cyprus Travel Guide: Lebay Beach Hotel
If you’re staying in Larnaca we have a fave hotel which is the Lebay Beach Hotel which is located only 20 km from Larnaca International Airport.
The hotel is relatively new and has beautiful sea views and the infinity pool, oh my. You may recognise it as the backdrop of many of my Instagram photos! The pool is the best thing since sliced bread and has views over what is pretty much a private beach, which is always super quiet for ultimate chills!
Each room has a rainfall shower which is the only rain you’ll be seeing as the temperatures in Cyprus are HOT HOT HOT. They also have a gym (I discovered getting lost on the way to the toilet) and they have something for everyone in terms of brekkie. I even spied someone grabbing a glass of Prosecco at 10 am to go with her smoked salmon, what a legend.
Tips for checking in here:
- Make sure to request a room with a sea view. Although the other rooms are absolutely lovely the car park doesn’t make quite as good a backdrop for pics
- If you’re not staying here but want to visit for the day you can pay 15 euros* each to use the pool which includes lunch – bargain!
Cyprus Travel Guide: Latchi Watersports
Is it even a holiday without a boat trip? This little Cyprus travel guide would not be complete without one, thats for sure. Latchi Watersports are located just over 2 hours from Larnaca so you’ll need to rent a car but boy is it worth it!
All you need is your driving licence and you’re away on your very own little boat cruise – prices are the best on the island and the staff are lovely and helpful! You can also rent a selection of watersports equipment if you’re the energetic type.
Prices for a 6 person boat for the day start at 176 euros, but you can also rent by the hour.
Tips for renting a boat:
- Don’t forget your driving licence if you’re planning on being captain for the day!
- Do bring sun cream – bucket loads of it. Coming back from your day out looking like a lobster is not cute hun
- Pack a picnic and plenty of water (they have cool boxes and ice available) as sailing the seven seas is thirsty work
- They have showers on site so make sure you bring a change of clothes, some shower gel and a towel as everything you own will be covered in salt
Cyprus Travel Guide: Eat a meze
Ok it’s impossible to list all of the amazing places there are to eat in Cyprus (I may do a separate post just for eateries because there are that many)!.
But the place I wanted to mention is To Sieradiko which is located in the Larnaca Old District near St Lazarus Church. The decor is just beautiful and this place is ALWAYS busy. The food is traditional Cypriot meze, think halloumi, meatballs, sheftalia and gorgeous homemade bread. Also you absolutely have to order one of their salads – they are ridiculously good! Every little detail is carefully thought out, from the music, to the handwritten menus – it all has a very family feel to it.
Tips for eating here:
- Phone ahead and book a table to avoid disappointment
- Try and grab a table outside
- Don’t over order – Cypriot portions are HUGE
Head to the best beach on the island: Nissi Beach
There really isn’t a competition when it comes to the best beach in Cyprus. Nissi Beach just wins hands down, all day every day. Located in Ayia Napa (roughly an hours drive from Larnaca) it’s the perfect location for a day of beach chills. No matter whether you’re on holiday with a partner, friends or family – there’s enough Nissi for everyone.
With bath like temperatures and a stretch of water shallow enough to walk across to the island in the middle of the sea, where you can pitch up a towel for a little beach picnic. There’s also scuba diving and watersports available for those more adventurous types. Or if your just up for a bit of chillzilla grab a giant flamingo, jump in the sea and recline.
Nissi Beach Tips:
- Get there early to bag a good spot. We normally get there for 9am. Yep we’re that keen! By the time the afternoon rolls around you’ll struggle to find a sun-bed or unoccupied bit of sand!
- Get a cocktail in a pineapple. Not only is it the most fun thing to boomerang but they give you the pineapple in slices to eat. Boujee drink + a snack. Winner winner pineapple dinner
- There’s plenty of foodie options (but make sure you order halloumi with everything – you will never regret extra cheese
Take in the sights: Salt Lake
As many of you will know, I’m a huge flamingo fan. So when I realised that there were flamingos in Cyprus, I was absolutely buzzing! I was very much hoping to meet the flamingos that live on the salt lake but once I arrived to, well, just salt I realised that they were only on the lake for certain times of year (between the months of December and March).
Once I got over the lack of Flamingo I was stunned by how pretty the lake was. We walked right across it with the salt crunching between our toes – definitely quite surreal and made me thirsty almost immediately.
Salt Lake tips:
- Personally I don’t think you need to stay here for too long (half an hour – 45 mins is probably enough) – but it’s defo worth experiencing
- There’s a nice picnic area nearby with views over the lake
- You’ll need to bring your own food and drinks as there aren’t any facilities at the lake
Experience some culture: Lefkara Village
A travellers dream, Lefkara village offers winding cobbled streets, picture perfect architecture and an air of mystery. Located at the foot of the Troodos mountains (roughly 30 km) from Larnaca this is a great place to witness local traditions and it really does feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. With panoramic views and picturesque terracotta roofs at every turn, you’ll want to keep the camera handy at all times.
Keep an eye out for the lace and embroidery being made all over the village. It’s rumoured that Leonardo da Vinci bought lace here and if it was good enough for him..
Tips for Lefkara village:
- Allow yourself to get lost and enjoy your surroundings
- Try some of handmade sweets (loukoumia) which are made locally
- Make sure you have some water handy as some of the streets are quite hilly
Cyprus Travel Guide: Example itinerary for 4 days
- Friday – Check into your hotel, head somewhere local for dins and drinks
- Sat – Rent a boat for the day
- Sunday- Head to Nissi Beach
- Monday – Lefkara village, lunch and Salt lake
Hope you enjoyed my Cyprus Travel Guide – is there anywhere you would recommend in Cyprus? xo
Mmm I think it was Nissi Beach, with a certain teenager! 😜
Author June 11, 2019 / 4:44 pm
Haha this will haunt me forever won’t it!xx
So why no pictures of the blue lagoon the akamas you left so much out of this side of the island Chrysochous bay from polis latchi and argaka fb
Author June 11, 2019 / 9:15 pm
Well that’s just the perfect reason to return then I guess ✨🤘🏼
Gorgeous photos!
Lovely blog post,
I’ve always wanted to go to Cyprus ♥
Luke | http://www.lukeheywoodstyle.co.uk
Author June 12, 2019 / 11:10 am
Aww thanks lovely! Get it on your travel bucket list ☀️🙌🏼
Memories of the boat trips and Nissi Beach just make me want to head back now!!
Author June 12, 2019 / 2:40 pm
Awww I want to be there right now too 😍😍😍😍
Beautiful photography. I’m sure your wedding is going to turn out amazing there 🙂 Love the post!
https://www.chicnpink.com
Author June 13, 2019 / 7:40 am
Aw that’s so sweet of you! Thanks so much lovely 💖💖
Would you say Cyprus is toddler friendly? Was thinking of going in September x
Author June 13, 2019 / 12:10 pm
Ah nice! I’m headed back in September too 🙂 Yes defo – Fig tree bay is a great place to stay with children, fab beach and play area etc https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g667803-d1755105-Reviews-Fig_Tree_Bay-Protaras_Paralimni_Famagusta_District.html xx
Thanks for the recommendation x
Author June 13, 2019 / 1:11 pm
You’re welcome 💖💖
First is 15 euros with a snack not lunch for the Lebay Hotel and secondly is not a private beach but a wonderful public beach
Author August 13, 2019 / 11:37 am
I always presumed it was a private beach as it’s always lovely and quiet! Plus the “snack” is definitely enough for lunch on a hot day 🙂
If you come again I’d recommend a visit to Cape Grecko (between Ayia Napa and Protaras) amazing views and you the most easterly point of Europe!
Author August 13, 2019 / 12:19 pm
Ooh I’m back next month (literally obsessed with Cyprus) will add it to my list, thanks chick 👌🏼👌🏼